Six policemen killed in Jharkhand landmine blast

Latehar (Jharkhand), Jan.18 (ANI): Six policemen were killed in a landmine blast set off by suspected Maoist insurgents in Latehar, Jharkhand, police said on Saturday. The policemen were returning to their post after completing an operation against Maoist rebels in the district, which is located 160 km away from state capital Ranchi,when the blast occurred. “One officer in-charge, four policemen including the one who sustained injuries and a driver have lost their lives. Immediately a rescue team reached and firing took place. Then they ran away. The combing operation is on,” said Nandu Prasad, Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Palamu Range). Separately, seven Maoist rebels were arrested in Bokaro district, about 130 km (81 miles) away, police officials said, in a foiled attempt to blow up a railway station. Police recovered explosive materials from those arrested. In Jharkhand, more than ,350 people have been killed in Maoist-related violence over the last seven years. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has described insurgency as the gravest threat to India’’s internal security. (ANI)